Lubricator for pumps



Nov. 3, 1931. E. J. CODN ER 1,830,424

LUBRICATOR FOR ruurs Filed Jan. 6. 1930 Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFlCiE ELMER J'- CODNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO YEOMA'NS BROTHERS COM- IPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE LuBrucA'roR FOR PUMPS.

Application filed January 6, 1930. seriaim'. 418,676.

The invention relates to pumps which are automatically thrown into and out of operation at more or less frequent intervals and thus intermittently actuated. The present improvement provides means for supplying lubricant to the pump, such means being automatically thrown into and out of operation with the pump so that lubricant is not wasted when thepump is idle.

The present invention also provides improved means for supplying lubricant to an intermittently operated air pump of a sewage pumping system and which is employed for forcing sewage from a receptacle in which the sewage is collected.

The invention consists in the features of improvement hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly point-- ed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which show-the present improvement as applied to a sewage pumping system- Fig. l is a view in elevation with certain parts shown 'in section.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the lubricant receptacle, supply valve and valve-operating means,

The sewage pumping system illustrated comprises a receptacle 10 arranged within a pit 11 below the floor level 12. The receptacle is provided with an inlet pipe 13 for the sewage or the like and with a discharge pipe 14:, these pipes being rovided with suitable cut-ofi valves 15- an non-return check valves 16. The receptacle is closed and its upper endis connected by pipes 17 and 18 to the discharge outlet of a rotary air pump 19. The pump shaft 20 is directly connected to the shaft of an electric motor 21, and the discharge outlet pipe 18 of the v air pump is provided with a normally open relief valve 22. The latter is adapted to be closed byv a solenoid 23 which also, when energized, is arranged to close a starting switch 24 interposed in the motor circuit. The coil of the solenoid is connected to the supply conductors through the medium of a switch 25. The latter is operated by lugs or buttons 26 adjustably mounted on a float rod 27 which extends through a stufiing box in the top of the receptacle and is provided with upper and lower bells 28 and 29 Within the receptacle. i

The discharge outlet of the air pump is also connected by a small pipe 30 to the upper end of an 011 tank or receptacle 31, this pipe being provided with a cut-off valve 32 and also a reliefvalve lipes 3 1 lead from the lower end of the oil receptacle to the pump shaft bearings and a vertically movable, normally closed valve 35 within the receptacle controls the flow of oil through the pipes Preferably, as shown, the oil re ceptacle 31 is provided with'a gauge glass 36 and the pipes 3 1 are provided with sightfeed glasses 37,

The lower portion of the valve extends within a guiding sleeve 38 fixedwithin the oil receptacle and its upper end is connected to a diaphragm 39, that closes the top of the receptacle and is secured in place by a cover plate 10. A cup 11 is threaded into a central opening in thecover 10 and a spring 12 inter-' posed between the cap and the diaphragm 39 normally holds the valve '35 closed. The cover 10 as shown is provided with a vent opening 43.

As the sewage flows into the receptacle 10, air is vented from its upper'end through thepipe '17 and the relief valve 22. When the receptacle is filled, air trapped within the upper bell 28 lifts the float rod 27 and closes switch to energize the solenoid 23. The latter then closes the motor circuit to start the pump and also closes the vent valve 22, so that air under pressure is forced through the'pipes 18 and 17 into the receptacle to thereby force the contents of the receptacle out through thedischarge pipe ,14. Also, air under pressure passes through the pipe 30 into the upper end of thereceptacle 31 above the oil level therein and beneath the diaphragm 39. Thereby the valve 35 is opened and oil flows through the pipe 34 to the pump shaft bearings 1 1.

When the receptacle 10 is nearly empty, liquid collecting in the. lower bell 29 depresses the float rod 26, opens the switch 25 and deenergizes the solenoid 23. A spring 45 then serves to open the motor switch and the valve 22 to stop the motor and the pump and also to relieve the pressure in the pump 7 pressure of the pump for outlet and in the receptacle 10, so that sewage will again flow into the latter. The air pressure within the upper end of the 'oil reservoir is also relieved so that the valve 35 is closed by the spring 42 to cut oil the flow of oil to the pump.

The pumping system or apparatus operates automatically and intermittently without attention, and lubricant is supplied, without waste, only when-the pump-is in operation. It is also noted that air under pressure supplied to the upper portion of the oil tank to open the supply valve, also serves to force lubricant to the pump bearings.

Changes may be made in the detailsset forth without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

- I claim as-my invention 1. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination of a pump and means for eflectingthe automatic, intermittent operation thereof, an oil receptacle connected to the pump shaft bearings, a normally closed valve for controlling the flow of oil from said receptacle, and a pressure device subject to the discharge opening said valve, substantially as described.

2. In combination, with a pump, an oil receptacle connected to the pump shaft bearings, a valve controlling the flow of oil from said receptacle, a pressure actuated device connected to the stem of said valve and.

means for subjecting said device to the discharge pressure of the pump to open said valve.

3. In combination with an air pump, an

:oil reservoir, oil supply pipes connecting the lower ortion of said reservoir to the pump shaft earings, a vertically disposed valve in said reservoir controlling the flow through said pipes, a diaphragm connected to the stem of said-valve, a 5 ring for holding said valve closed, and a pi e connected to the pump outlet for subj ectm g the lower face of the diaphragm to the pump discharge pressure to open the valve against thetension of the spring, substantially as'described. I

ELMER J. CODNER. 

